Apparatus for drying thread or the like



Nov. 26, 1940. H. B. KLINE ETAL APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 9, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l Zinnentors Haves/v B. hulvs 0ND BB wane-n F. huesuscu NOV. 26, 1940. H. 5 KLINE AL 2,222,817

APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 9, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Bnnentor lr'nvosu 5. Hun: mvo B allure-n F. Hnsauscn FzaA- ZXMQ MMW (Ittorneg Nov. 26, 1940. H. B. KLlNE EIAL 2,222,817

APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 9, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 T Imventor HQVDEW 8. Hum: mvo

an? F. Knasuscn @MMW C ittomeg NOV. 26, 19 0- H. B. KLINE EI'AL 2,222,817

APPARATUS FOR DRYING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 9, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a Em 3 2m Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,222,817 APPARATUS Fon nnvmo THREAD on THE Hayden B. Kline and Walter F. Knebuschcleveland, Ohio, assignors to IndustrlalRayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1937, Serial No. 129,841

8Clalins. (01. 34-29) This invention relates to thread drying apparatus and, more particularly, to electrically heated thread-storage, thread-advancing devices, which devices may advantageously be employed 5 in order to dry thread or the like. Although'the invention is hereinafter described as applied to th production of viscose artificial silk thread, it may be employed to advantagein the manufacture of thread produced by other processes, such as the cuprammonium, cellulose nitrate, and

cellulose acetate processes. Furthermore, the invention is not only applicable to the drying of viscose artificial silk thread, but'may be used to dry other natural or synthetic thread-like materials such as bands, ribbons, tapes, and tubes, all of which are embraced by the term thread as herein employed.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a front elevation of a portion of a continuous processing apparatus employing reels of a preferred type embodying the present invention and a section on the line 22 of Figure 1 showing the reels more or less diagrammatically. Figure 3 is a vertical section through one of the reels of Figures 1 and 2, parts thereof being shown in elevation. Figure 4 is an elevation of the unsupported end of the reel shown in section i Figure 3. Figure 5 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale showing the construction of one of the heating elements. Figure 6 is a detail showing on an enlarged scale the contact means at the rear end of the reel shaft. Figure '7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit employed in this embodiment of the invention.

5 Figure 8 is a vertical section through a somewhat different type of reel in which the invention is incorporated, parts being shown in elevation. Figure 9 is an elevation of the unsupported end of the reel of Figure 8. Figure 1015 a section on 40 an enlarged scale on the line lll-lll of Figure 8 of a portion of the device of Figure 8. Figure 11 is a wiring diagram of the circuit employed in supplying electric current to the reel of Figures 8 to 10, inclusive.

45 Figure 12 is a section longitudinally through another type of thread-storage, thread-advancing .device embodying the present invention, parts being shown in elevation. Figure 13 is an elevation of the unsupported end of the device of Fig- 50 ure 12. Figure 14 is a section on an enlarged scale of a portion of the upper thread-advancing member of Figure 12 illustrating the electrical connection to the heating cartridge. Figure 15 is a section on an enlarged scale on the line l5- |5 5 of Figure 12. Figure 16 is a wiring diagram of the circuit employed in supplying electric current to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 12 to 14, inclusive.

In theapparatus of Figures 1 and 2, each thread I is illustrated as passing downward to 5 reel 3 from aplurality of preceding thread-storage, thread-advancing reels upon each of which is performed some desired processing step. The thread is subjected upon reel 3 to a washing treatmentlby means of liquid showered upon the reel 10 from a distributor 4 extending longitudinally of the reel 3 supplied with fluid from a delivery pipe 5. The thread passes from reel 3 to-reel 3a, upon which excess washing liquid is allowed to drip from the thread. After leaving reel 3a, the thread 1 passes to drying reel 2. I

In said apparatus, the several reels which handle a singlethread are disposed above each other to form a descending series and are arranged in offset relation so that the thread-receiving por- 20 tion of one reel is below the thread-discharge portion of the reel thereabove. In a complete apparatus, a large number of vertical series oi reels for handling the individual threads are disposed side by side; so that a common supply 25 means, such as the distributor supply pipe 5, may be employed to serve all of the reels upon which the same processing step is performed. Each vertical series of reels may be'driven from a common shaft 6 disposed to the rear of the several 30 reels of the series, all of said shafts 6 being driven from a suitable power shaft 1. The reels are shown as driven at the desired relative speeds by means of gearing 8, 9 and Ill.

The general construction and theory of operation of all reels shown in the apparatus of Figures 1 and '2 may be understood from a consideration of the construction and theory of operation of the reel of Figures 3. to '7, inclusive, constituting a preferred embodiment of the in- 40 vention. Said reel includes a rotatable, concentrically mounted reel member l2 made up of a body portion 13 carrying a plurality of longitudinally disposed bar members I. Reel member 12 is rotatably driven from hollow shaft 15 upon which it is mounted by means of pins l6 and is maintained upon shaft I5 by means of fastening bolt 36. Between the body portion l3 and shaft 15 is positioned a heat insulating bushing l'l. Shaft. I5 passes through a vframe member I8 carried by the frame of the apparatus.

A second cooperating reel member comprising bar members H! which are in interdigitating relation with the bar members ll of the first-mentioned reel member, is supported upon a bushing 28 carried upon the exterior of frame member l8. The exterior of frame member I8 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the shaft l5, whereby the axis of the second reel member is offset from the axis of reel member l2. Bushing 28 has the axes of its interior and exterior surfaces at an angle to each other; so that the axes of reel members l2 and I8 are also disposed in inclined relationship. Due to the oilsetti and relative inclination of the axes of the two reel members, the thread handled thereby will be automatically advanced in a plurality of generally helical turns axially of the reel.

In the case of the drying reel of Figures 3 and 4, the body portion l3 of reel member I2 is provided with a plurality of sockets 2 I disposed symmetrically about the axis of reel member l2 for the purpose of receiving electrical heating elements. In the embodiment shown, three sockets are conveniently provided, resulting in an approximately equal distribution of heat throughout the reel. Secured within each of these sockets by retaining means 22' is a heater element 2|. In the construction shown, the heater elements 2| take the form of cartridges, although they may take some other form, if desired.

Each of the heater elements 2| shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 comprises a metallic outer shell and an inner longitudinally disposed insulating spool 23 the outer end of which is enlarged to close the shell opening. Within a bore in the enlarged end of spool 23 is a metallic element 24 having a wire receiving recess 25 at its inner end resistance wire 28 is thus grounded to the apparatus.

To connect the several heater elements together, a metal ring 3! encircles the outer enlarged ends of the spools 23. Within this ring is a recess 32 in which lies a bimetallic thermostatic disc 33. Bimetallic disc 33 is held in place and the ring 3| is held against the several spools 23 by means of an outer ring 34 and screws 35. By extending into thethreaded holes 26, the screws '35 establish an electrical connection between the bimetallic element 33 and each of the resistance wires 28. Bimetallic element 33 receives electric current through a contact point 38 fastened to it at its center.

Disposed in position to be engaged by contact point 38 upon the flexing of bimetallic disc 33 is a metallic piece 39 carried within retaining bolt 36 which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is shown as formed of suitable insulating material. Secured within the metallic piece 39 by set screw 40 is one end of a wire 4| which passes throughout the length of the shaft l5 to the supported end thereof. At this end, as shown in Figure 6, the wire 4| is fastened by means of set screw 42 to a metallic contact 43 carried by an insulating bushing 44 secured within the end of shaft I5. A flexible spring brush 45 carried upon an insulator block 46, secured to the frame of the apparatus, engages the exposed portion of the contact 43 to establish an electrical connection during the rotation of the reel. An electric conduit 41, receiving power from a suitable source of electricity, has one wire 48 thereof connected to the spring brush 45 and the other wire 48 grounded to the frame of the apparatus.

The electrical circuit is shown diagrammatically in Figure 7, from which it will be seen that current from wire 48 passes by means of spring brush 45 and contact43 through wire 4| to the contact piece 38 disposed to be engaged by movable contact 38. From the contact 38 the current is passed through the bimetallic disc 33 to the several resistance windings 28 of the heater elements. All of the heater elements will .be energized. or de-energized at the same time, depending upon whether the contacts 38 and 39 are in engagement. By properly setting the contacts 38 and 39 relative to each other, the ourrent will be broken when the reel has reached the desired high temperature. When the reel has cooled to a temperature which will not maintain adequate drying of the thread, the contacts 38 and 39 will be brought automatically into engagement and the electrical circuit established to bring the reels to the desired temperature.

The contour of the bar members lengthwise of the reel preferably conforms to the shrinkage characteristics of the thread, particularly if the reel is employed for drying thread. In the case of thread is reduced to the flnal desired percentage.

The reel should preferably be made of metal having a high coefficient of heat conductivity, such, for example, as aluminum. Bar members 14 are preferably flared in transverse cross-section, as shown in Figure 4, so that they are widest at their thread bearing surfaces. The reel is preferably enclosed in a housing 54 to reduce heat losses. It is desirable that there be an opening in the housing to allow ventilation of the interior of the housing and permit moisture-laden air to pass away therefrom, for which reason the door t5; the housing is shown as provided with a screen In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, a somewhat different reel construction, as well as a different electrical heating element, is employed. The reel shown in Figure 8 includes a concentric reel member 66 carrying upon its exterior a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members 6|. Reel member 60 is secured by means of the metallic bolt 62 to the hollow shaft 63, which corresponds to shaft I5 of Figure 3. The eccentric reel member comprises bar members 64 and their supporting annular member 65, which latter is rotatably mounted upon an eccentric bushing 66 corresponding to the bushing 20 of Figure 3. Bar members 6| and 64 alternate with each other.

The fastening bolt 62 isformed with an integral bore and secured within this bore by set screw 62' is a projecting tubular member 61 of electrical insulating material. I Upon tubular member 61 is spirally wound an electric resistance element 68, one end of which is connected at 69 as by welding to the fastening bolt 62, thus grounding this end of the resistance element 68. I The other end of resistance element 68 is passed through the interior of the tubeto a metallic contact I6 secured within the forward end of the tubular member 61, no other portion of the resistance element 68 other than the end connected at 69 being grounded. Since the tubular member 61 is formed of insulating material, both the electric element 68 and the electrical contact I6 carried thereby are to the reel itself. Upon the free end of the arm I3 is secured a tubular element I4 preferably made of an electric insulating material. An electric brush I5, slidably positioned within tubular ele-- ment 14, extends through the open end thereof to engage with the contact ID at the unsupported end of the reel. Brush I5 is urged away from tubular element I4 by means of a compression spring I6 insulated from the brush by a washer II. An electric wire I8 embedded in the brush I5 extends through the tubular arm I3 to the bracket II and to a suitable source of electric current.

To hold the arm I3 in proper relation to the reel, a spring I9 is provided. To limit the swing of the arm I3 under the influence of spring I9, the arm I3 may be provided with stop 88 which will strike against the fixed portion of the bracket. When in this position, the brush I5 will be forced inwardly of the tubular element I4 and yielding but positive contact will be maintained between the brush I5 and contact I0 under the influence of the relatively weak spring I6. If it is desired to manipulate the'thread on the reel, as, for example, for the purpose of effecting thread transfer, the arm I8 may be swung around the pivot I2 into a position in which it is out of the way.

In Figure 11 is illustrated a preferred wiring ar-- rangement for the apparatus disclosed in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive. One line wire leading from the source of current is grounded to the apparatus at 8|. The wire I8 leading from brush I5 is connected to the other line wire 82 through an ammeter 83 and variable resistance 84. Current flows from line wire 82 through the variable resistance 84, through the ammeter 83, and over wire I8 to the brush I5. From brush I5 the current will be transmitted to contact Ill and then through the heating element 68 to the ground at 69 to complete the circuit. At any desired point along the wire I8 a volt meter 85 may be connected into this circuit as shown, to measure the potential drop across resistance wire 68.

Because of the presence of both the volt meter and ammeter, the wattage input into the resistance wiring 68 may be measured and by adjusting the rheostat 84 this wattage input may be controlled. This makes it possible so to regulate the heat delivered by the resistance winding 68 that the reel will be maintained at the temperature requisite to reduce the moisture content :of the thread to the desired amount. Since the heat delivered by the heating element 68 is immediately responsive to an increase in the current flowing therethrough, a close control can be had over the wattage input to the heating element. With the information gained from experience in operating this type of arrangement, the necessary setting of the rheostat may be asceraxially of the cylinders. I

are supported in offset and inclined relation by talned to maintain the drying reel at a suitable wet bulb temperature.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 12 W16, inclusive, the thread-storage, thread-advancing device is made. up of two thread-advancing. members taking the formof hollow rotatable cylinders 86 and 91 which are spaced laterally fromeach other. The axes of these cylinders are in inclined relationship, so as to cause thread wound about them to advance The shafts 81 and 98 frame member 99 having separate bearing portions for the two shafts. It will be understood that the-thread-storage, thread-advancing device comprising the rotatable cylinders 86 and 91 may be substituted for the reel 2 in Figure 2.

Rotatable cylinder at is held on shaft 81 by Contact 94 may be engaged by aspring brush 95 corre- I spending to the spring-brush 45 appearing in Figure 2.

Retained within the bore of rotatable cylinder 86 by screw ring 86' is a heater element 89 of cartridge form which contains an electric resistance wire 96 wound spirally about an insulating spool 96. One end of the resistance wire is secured, as by welding, to the shell of the heater element 89, no other portion of the resistance wire being in contact with the shell of the heater element. The other end is brought to the outside of the heater element to form a contact 9|. When the. heater element 89 is in its proper position within rotatable cylinder 86, contact 9| will establish an electrical connection between resistance wire 96 and conducting wire 93. r

Rotatable cylinder 91 is mounted upon shaft 98 and carries an internal electric heating element I86 and in this respect corresponds in general construction to rotatable cylinder 86. Shaft 98, however, is rotated through idler gear IOI from shaft 81. Idler gear "II is carried on a bushing I62 supported in a lug I93 of frame member 99. A spur gear I84 secured to drive shaft 81 meshes with one portion of idler IM and a gear I65 having helical teeth meshes with another portion of idler IOI. Due to the positive gear drive between shafts 81 and 98, rotatable cylinders 86 and 91 will have the same peripheral speed.- It

1 will be understood that, if desired, shaft 98 need between the rotatable cylinders 86 and 91 is enclosed by a wall I6I. Wall I8I extends between the opposing surfaces of rotatable cylinders 86 and 91 and serves to prevent heated air from escaping from the space between these two cylinders. The presence of this enclosing wall not only serves to minimize the electrical energy required to heat the rotatable cylinders, but assists in maintaining the two cylinders at the same temperature. Inasmuch as wall IO'I will be of approximately the same temperature as the rotatable cylinders themselves, it may be utilized to I carry a thermostatic element.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, bimetallic strip 100 may be connected directly to one line wire I09 of the source of current. The other line wire H2 of the source of current is grounded on the frame of the apparatus. Fixed contact H is connected by wire III to the spring brush 05. Spring brush I06 is connected by wire 3 to the wire I l I. This wiring arrangement will cause resistance elements 90 and 100 to be energized and de-energized simultaneously, since closing of the bimetallic switch I08 will cause current to flow to heater element 80 and heater element I00.

It will be understood that the details here shown are susceptible of wide change without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, structural details disclosed in connection with any one of the illustrated embodiments of the invention may be utilized in connection with one of the other illustrated embodiments. Thus it is possible, for example, to use the current regulating means and the wattage measuring means shown in Figure 11 in the wiring systems of Figures 7 and 16. Numerous other changes may also be made.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Thread drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up oi? a plurality of spaced,

longitudinally extending thread-bearing elements, one of said reel members including a body portion encompassed by the thread-bearing elements of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the thread-bearing elements making up the reel member with which it is associated; means disposed in the body portion of said reel member for heating said reel member electrically; and means for supplying energy to said electrical heating means during rotation of the reel.

2. Thread drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing elements, one of said reel members including a body portion encompassed by the thread-bearing elements of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the threadbearing elements making up the reel member with which it is associated; means disposed in the body portion of said reel member for heating said reel member electrically; means for supplying energy to said electrical heating means during rotation of the reel; and means responsive to temperature variations in said reel member for controlling the energy passing to said electrical heating means.

3. Thread drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing elements,

one of said reel members including a body portion encompassed by the thread-bearing elements of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise o! and to which are attached the thread-bearing elements making up the reel member with which it is associated;' a plurality of electric heating elements disposed in the body portion of said reel member adJacent the periphery of said body portion; and means for supplying current to said electric heating elements during rotation 01 the reel.

4. Thread-drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up of a plurality oi spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing elements, one of said reel members including a massive body portion 01' high heat conductivity encompassed by the thread-bearing elements of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the thread-bearing elements making up the reel member with which it is associated; means disposed in the body portion of said reel member for heating said reel member electrically; and means for supplying energy to said electrical heating means during rotation 01 the reel.

5. Thread drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement dining rotation of the reel each of which is made up-oi a plurality oi. spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing elements, one of said reel members including a massive body portion of high heat conductivity which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the threadbearing elements, making up the reel member with which it is associated; a plurality of electric heating elements disposed in the body portion of said reel member adjacent the periphery of said body portion; and means for supplying current to said electric heating elements during rotation of the reel.

6. Thread drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel of cantilever construction embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing members, one of said reel members including a body portion encompassed by the thread-bearing members of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the thread-bearing members making up the reel member with which it is associated; means for supporting said reel members from one end of the reel in such manner as to leave the other end of the structure defined by said reel members wholly unobstructed; means tatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel of cantilever construction embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing members, one of said reel members including a massive body portion of high heat conductivity encompassed by the thread-bearing members of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the thread-bearing members making up the reel member with which it is associated; means for supporting said reel members from one end of the reel in such manner as to leave the other end of the structure defined by said reel members wholly unobstructed; means disposed in the body portion of said reel member for heating said reel member electrically; and means for supplying energy to said electrical heating means without obstructing the unsupported end of the reel. v

8. Thread drying apparatus comprising a rotatable thread-storage, thread-advancing reel embodying two interdigitating reel members having relative movement during rotation of the reel each of which is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending thread-bearing elements,

one of said reel members including a massive body.

portion of high heat conductivity encompassed by the thread-bearing elements of the other reel member which body portion extends for a substantial distance lengthwise of and to which are attached the thread-bearing elements making up the reel member with which it is associated;

HAYDEN B. KLINE. WALTER F. KNEBUSCH. 

